Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
January 23, 2023
Read 1 John 5:1-5
1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. Whoever loves someone who is a parent loves the child born to the parent. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep God’s commandments. 3 This is the love of God: we keep God’s commandments. God’s commandments are not difficult, 4 because everyone who is born of God defeats the world. And this is the victory that has defeated the world: our faith. 5 Who defeats the world? Isn’t it the one who believes that Jesus is God’s Son?
Good Morning, In everything, give thanks!
Often, when I read passages written by John, I have to really work hard and read them several times to discern what he is saying. He seems to write in circles at times, so I read slowly and deliberately to find his message. John spends much of his writing encouraging God’s children to love one another. He uses the phrase born of God in this passage, but in other places in this writing as well. What does it mean to be born of God? We are born of God when we put our trust in Jesus and in His saving work in our lives.
John reminds us that we are to love God and keep God’s commandments. All who are born of God, defeat the world. What does this mean? Christ came to walk among us and to teach us God’s way. God’s thoughts are not our thoughts and God’s ways are not our ways. Through the death and resurrection of Christ, God displays the power to defeat worldly ways.
What are worldly ways? Worldly ways are the use of power to get what you want at the expense of others. In the view of our world, we put ourselves first and work hard to gain all the material possessions that we can. Within the realm of worldly ways are greed, evil, lust, pride, and arrogance. As you read these words, I pray the red flags are popping up because these words are in direct opposition to God’s commandments.
What are God’s ways? Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. As those born of God, we are to humble ourselves as we serve our Lord and Savior. We work to gather those who are weak, lost, or unable to advocate for themselves. God’s ways call us to work together to lift up each other so that all who believe will arrive together in eternal glory.
If God is for us, then who can be against us? Romans 8:31
We are born of God and with God by our side, we will defeat all the world’s challenges through our faith in our Creator.
Loving God, Thank You for being with us. You empower us! Help us accept Your gift and use it to help those in need. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: We are born of God, and therefore we can overcome.
Lift up others! Pastor Liz
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